So...whats for dinner?
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I'm back, but my body clock is still in Hawaii. In fact, I think my body rhythm works better there. Left at 8pm at 81 degrees. Arrived home at 7am and 41 degrees. Took lots of clothes but I knew better - everyone wears shorts & flip-flops & tee shirts, or maybe a long skirt but the kind you can just plop down in the sand - not dressy. Ate wonderful Japanese food & fantastic sushi. My "other" son is 45 and my nephew is 32. Interesting to see the differences between the two couples as kids age. I spent 3 days w/the first & 3 days w/the second & 1 by myself. I walked to have a drink at the beach hotel where my Dad and I spent his last 'dream trip' before he died. Continued down the beach where we took a catamaran out to Diamond Head 10 years before that and scattered my brother's ashes. Watched the surfers where I learned to surf at age 16. Layers of memories.
Amazing food. Fresh veggies & fruit - but the fish was magical - every day, every meal, right from the ocean. We ate lots of sushi & poke. Everything with chopsticks. The older kids always order an appetizer, then we'd order different courses as we went along. Japanese food is hard to find in Houston. I saved some notes about specific dishes and will post later after my body clock re-adjusts. Unfortunately there was a kid around one year old who screamed for 5 minutes out of every 20 minutes for the entire 8 hour overnight flight. I don't mean he cried, I mean SCREAMED at the top of his lungs. No one slept.
Sorry, I know I'll miss lots of posts, but Susan - I'm so excited about your 18%. Great news. Nance - sorry to hear about your Dad's pneumonia and foot/leg issues. Eric - holding Sharon in my thoughts. It must be especially frightening for you. Moon - my car is 2003 also. Luckily I got an economy car in Hawaii so didn't have to learn all the "bells & whistles" that are now standard equipment. Bedo - sorry about your DD's 12 year old dog and her MIL's cancer.
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Sooo cold here. Leaving Saturday morning for NC...getting outta Dodge as they say. Sat. the predicted high is 3 deg here in NY. We are taking along 3 friends on this trip...should be fun, and will stay for a week instead of our usual 3 day weekend.
So much for the diet, as I know we will be visiting a lot of great restaurants, but my trainer at the gym told me to just make sure I try to get in 30 min of walking or biking everyday and I should be fine till I get back into the routine. I will do my best.
Tonight will try to use up the vegetable bin in the fridge, Caesar salad with chicken I also have a lot of cheese chunks from the superbowl party, will pack them for snacking on the road
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Safe travels Carrie! Saturday is supposed to be cold here too (9° I think) Ugh. Stay in NC as long as you can.
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Greetings from the Hampton Inn in Texarkana, TX. Lunch was an Artisan Chicken sandwich on bun at McD's. Dinner will probably be Outback since there is one near enough to walk to it.
Minus, welcome back. I enjoyed hearing a little about your trip. How exciting that you were a surfer!
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Minus welcome back. I know you are not happy you couldn't stay. LOL
Travel safe Carberry. Enjoy a bit of
warmth!
Carole glad you have friends to be with.
Bedo sorry about your DD MIL and dog
Nance hope your Dad is doing as well as can be expected.
My news. I know I know I should have gone sooner but went to the dentist for the first time since cancer.just couldn't face another Dr visit. But not too bad, because of my implants, they didn't clean yet. I'm going back Monday to have a cavity filled and then since I'll be on an abx they'll poke around and tell me I have gum disease. Yeah I know. Sigh. But so far that is all. Big relief. Xrays were ok except for a cavity on a molar. Lucked out. I would recommend though that no one wait 5 years..... LOL
Much love to all
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Moon - I hate dentists. Don't know why, but I'd rather have my arm cut off than go to the dentist.
Loved all your discussions about scales. This is a picture like the scale I have & use - but usually only when I'm dividing meat for the freezer. (sorry I don't know how to make the picture smaller) Mine has a 4 point "claw" that holds the scooper instead of a flat disc or flat bottomed scoop. Stamped - American Family Scale Patented October 25, 1896 & Manufactured by the American Cutlery Company in Chicago, IL. I haven't done any research but my guess is it was used in old time country stores to scoop out beans or flour or jelly beans. Yes, I do put wax paper or saran wrap in the scoop before placing food.
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Minus, I love this scale! Such a vintage piece. Welcome home! I loved reading your description of your time in Hawaii. Still haven't made it there myself. Easier for me to head to Europe after all. Once upon a time, we were offered a home swap in a most amazing Hawaii community, but the dates just didn't work for us. Great disappointment.
The house is moving fast these days! Long story, but yes, I was at the house today after opening the HOA bank account and dealing with the water department. I spoke with the tile guy and the electrician. And, then tile guy sent me some pictures of the "family" bathroom. This is the bathroom that we chose [i.e. the girl] chose to spend some money. Here are the results:
He didn't do what we asked for exactly, but I still think it is lovely.
Here are the beginnings of the master bath shower:
Penny tile with oversized floor tiles.
The kitchen cabinets arrive tomorrow. I am nervous that they will not be damaged while waiting to be installed. We meet the truck at 8am. Why is everything construction between 7-8:30AM?
Dinner tonight was the Ramadan soup leftovers. Last night we had our once-every-six-weeks dinner at Sarma. Maybe I will have the energy to describe the six items we ordered tomorrow, or not. Xeloda is kicking my butt, and I have to give my best energy to working and this renovation.
*susan*
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Three? Really? About the only place I see three around here is within the freezer section of the refrigerator. Yikes.
Welcome back Minus.
If anyone is needing warmth...It was nice here today in the Phoenix Metro area. I won't otherwise brag about it. :-)
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The younger my "test daughters" teaches at the Phoenix area school that made today's news. She's OK.
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Yikes, Eric & Susan--that’s terrifying. Glad she’s fine.
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eric - oh dear, glad she is OK, but terrifying and sad.
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Eric, what is going on out there? So many needless deaths. Glad that your "almost" daughter is alright. Weep for the two that aren't.
The cabinets arrived. Mr. 02143 was at the truck, I was just inside the house. No cabinets were damaged transferring them from one place to the other. OMG!!!!! They are gorgeous! There is a little less contrast between the grey and white than I had imagined, and it doesn't matter. I have a bunch of photos which I will parse and post in a bit. Tile Guy is working on the walls now and it was clear that he is doing the math before he starts. Electrician man has fixed a ton of stupid overhead lights and finished all three bedroom outlets. Had a real heart to heart with the Great Sergio today, and he is completely embarrassed by some of the errors that are being made. A door that swings the wrong way. A floor replaced with the floor outlet still in place. A niche drywalled and plastered when it should have been left open. He then called again later to apologize again. I am like his business guru confessor. Unusual relationship.
Pictures have uploaded.... sorry if this pisses anyone off.
one of three pantries that go in this corner.
sample cabinet with drawers.
and the cabinets with just one drawer and pullout shelves.
The last cabinets of the row with the bench by the back door. See the cutie cubbies?
Very happy tonight about our progress.
Oh, but we also ate. I made some fresh pasta with King Arthur's Perfect Pasta Blend. It had a really nice texture, and held up well. I made some 5 inch rectangles and filled with my homemade ricotta plus goodie, including zucchini, filling. Baked with some Rao's Roasted Garlic Sauce and served with some grilled/braised Italian sausages. The Rao's sauce was good with this, but it won't be on my must buy list. These little suckers were good! I know that I have two women that I will need to take some supper soon. They are both vegetarian. This would be a great deliver-to-the-new-mom meal. Making a mental note.
Tomorrow should get down to about 1º. Maybe a braise or stew.....
*susan*
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How exciting Susan!
Eric, so scary and horrible. Glad your extra daughter is ok.
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p.s. By "out there" I don't mean any particular place, but instead out in our culture.
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I have had a very busy day and never saw any national media...so have no idea about our culture's latest crisis/tragedy.Whatever it was, I'm glad that your "test" daughter is okay, Eric. Not sure I can stomach any more school violence.
Susan the cabinets look great! Obviously the great Sergio respects you andcwants to do right by you. Who is discovering these faut pas? Glad he is correcting them!
Tonight we returned Winston to his rightful "tanned" owners and had dinner with them at their new place (take out calamari, salads and pizza). They are very busy pulling the place all together, and are very concerned about anything that is not "perfect"....like the granite peninsula countertop, which seems to be showing some marks from glasses and textured items that have rested on it...odd. They like their contractor a lot, so hopefully any concerns like that can be worked out. Then, every one of the just delivered dining room chairs has damage to the legs. I think they will be quite busy obsessing about and correcting such things as they continue to furnish the place. Ah youth nesting! The other unit in the bldg has been sold....to another couple from Southie with a dog......how same!
I did hear that we are expected to break records for cold temps...0 ish and extraordinarily low wind chill factors this weekend....-33 degrees! Yikes! Still prefer it to lots more snow.
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Susan, those cabinets look great, as does the penny tile in your new shower. Makes me want to call a contractor and finally get our 108-yr-old inside staircase replaced (paramedics who took Bob to St. Francis after his botched-colonoscopy chewed me out about it) and our much newer but still decrepit front porch railings, balusters & finials repaired after a few rough winters. When we moved in we had a concrete stoop with black wrought iron railings, which had been the fashion in the ‘50s but definitely did not gibe with a 1908 American Foursquare. We also need new windows all around! We’re in our mid-60s and might not have long to stay in that house (will retire to something lower-maintenance--i.e., no lawn to mow or sidewalk to shovel--closer to downtown, or even to the PNW), but patching it up (basically continuing to undo the previous owners’ ill-conceived budget DIY mistakes) will make it either easier to sell or more pleasant for our son to take over if he wants it.
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Oh Lacey. <<Who is discovering these faut pas?>> That would be me! And to a lesser extent, Mr. 02143. I am going over daily now to review the work, and make punch lists. We have just spent way too much money to let them slide on the details that can actually be seen. The subcontractors are just contacting me directly these days, so I am fielding a bunch of texts every day as well. I think it will be worth it.
*susan*
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Can't remember who was interested in the Fagor multi cooker, but the price just dropped at Surly Table:
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Susan, your tile flooring and cabinets are beautiful! What kind of pulls are you using with your cabinets?
Auntie, I hope your father is feeling better.
Eric, Thank God your loved one is fine. What a tragedy.
It's -6 here in Cleveland with the windchill, so I'm making comfort food for dinner. I have a pot roast in the oven. Tomato bread pudding and truffle mashed potatoes are my sides. I decided to skip the veg.
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Another comfort food eater here, although TN is a not so balmy 30 or so degrees today. I grew up in MN so I do remember -6-no thanks. Brrrr!
We are having a beef roast (mine is also in the oven) with roast potatoes, onions and carrots.
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I had an abundance of eggs today so I made Jacques Pepin's pound cake (for the freezer) and a lemon buttermilk pie with saffron. I also made pizza dough which will be tonight's dinner.
The dad saga continues. We saw him yesterday and he seemed to be doing pretty well. He was to be transferred to a rehab facility today and is scheduled to have stents put in his legs next week to increase his circulation. He initially refused to do all of this but the docs and I finally convinced to him to do it. He has significant peripheral vascular disease, which came as no surprise to me, and is a prime candidate to lose a foot if they can't get a handle on the recurring foot ulcers. Today I find out that the hospital is keeping him until he has the stents put in, for some unknown reason. Because it's the weekend, it's impossible to get information and dad seemed confused today. His nurse told me that they have changed his antibiotics and that's why he didn't get transferred. I'm finding that a bit hard to believe, but who knows. This particular nurse has been fairly snarky to him and to me so I'm not sure I completely trust what she says. She seems to want to brush us both off as much as possible. The staff doc is MIA. I'm horribly frustrated about the whole thing. But I appreciate all of your good wishes! So many of us on this thread are dealing with this issue to some degree, I feel bad harping on my situation all the time. It's nice though to have a place to do so. Thanks again.
Off to check on pies. Winter weather advisory tonight and tomorrow -- snow AND ice. Blechhhh! At least we didn't get the horrible wind predicted today. Made the 12 degrees feel warm! (ah, not really.)
I thought about you today Sandy -- we had Chicago dogs for lunch with real Vienna dogs and jade green relish as well as the rest of the works. Delish!
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Eric, so glad your daughter is OK and so sad for the others
Susan Beautiful
Those with older parents they are so lucky to have you and you them
Dinner Kimchee the one thing I can make buckets of, taught by a childhood friend, but this is bought, garlic chili edamame, Fried calamari with roasted red bell pepper and mango sauce, vegetable tan tan men and ( crispy chicken skin ?) WTH My friend wants it. On to pick it up. It will be -20 with the wind chill. I broke out my -40 parka and -20 boots from when I lived on the tunda.
Keep warm all. Keep the faucets dripping
Eric, where do I go and what do I get to put on the windows to keep the cold out. It has to be very clear so I can't really see it.. Sorry liberated women, you can chime in too!
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The lamb was not thawed with enough time to season and cook, so I pulled out some chicken fajita meat. Took forever to thaw too [man is my kitchen cold in this weather], and in the meantime, I made up some pico de gallo, grated cheddar cheese, lime-cabbage, diced avocado, and fried up some aging corn tortillas for tostadas. Then grilled the chicken and assembled with a smear of the beans, some chicken, topped with cheese...into the broiler and then we topped with the cabbage and pico at the table. Pieces of avocado were added to taste. This meal kicked ass except I made too much. In the future, one for me, two for him. I gave up midway, but not Mr. 02143! He was a trooper and managed to finish the whole meal.
hsant, The pulls are here: http://amerock.com/4-pull-allison-value-hardware-9... Very inexpensive [compared to the cost of the cabinets] but I really like them. I used them on the third floor for all the built ins and have been very pleased with their performance and durability. I have been shocked by the cost of some of the pulls out there. Just shocking!!! These were about $4 a piece. The cost of drilling the holes was more than the cost of the hardware.
Nance, why can some nurses be so unpleasant? I would be tempted, if you have your father's Medical Proxy, to ask for his chart, NOW. Technically it is his, after all. They do hate to share. I can't quite figure out how your father is responding to all of this. Does he believe his foot problems are important or does he think everyone is just over-reacting? Is there a nurse navigator or social worker available who can give you a straight answer as to what is happening?
Bedo, they sell plastic window covers at places like the Home Depot. You use a hairdryer to "draw" up the plastic and it works as a barrier. That costs money. You can also staple or nail blankets over your windows to reduce the infiltration. Our problem is that the walls are cold and anywhere that the foamed in insulation didn't penetrate allows air into the house. In fact, our whole house is groaning from the wind which is unusual anywhere but the top floor.
Sandy, think long and hard about renovations! Or plan a nice long trip during the renovation timeframe so you don't have to breath all that dust which I am convinced is filled with lead. We are all coughing and eyes are itchy. I thought we would redo our bathroom after this was over, but I am not sure I can handle it. But, we are pretty sure that the floor is rotting out underneath from water leaking from this DIY project.
*susan*
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Nancy, please tell me that “the works" did NOT include ketchup!! When I ate hot dogs & beef “Polish" sausages (with the bun), my NYC roots poked through: just tomato, grilled onions and mustard (preferably brown Gulden's). That's because no Chicago hot dog stands offer sauerkraut. Back in NYC, I always go for just mustard and kraut. (And I prefer my dogs grilled, not Chicago-steamed or NYC-street-cart “dirty-water").
Dinner tonight is Brussels sprouts sauteed with blood orange olive oil, tossed with lemon white “balsamic" and finished with truffle salt; fried cauliflower “rice" (stir fried in ginger & garlic oil & finished with Ponzu); and a mid-rare grass-fed ribeye with cracked black pepper and espresso sea salt. We had 2 oz. ea of Gauthier Pinot Noir (preserved with the Coravin) and Bob continued with his Malbec. Dessert was a chocolate-almond Alyssa’s Cookie (40 cal., 4 net gm. carb).
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Susie, Welcome!
And that is food bait..... what was in your bar besides a potato? We all need inspiration!
*susan*
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Here's the first of the promised food reports from HI. Dinner the first night was in the University area at Tsukuneya - "fine & family dining from Nagoya Japan". The 'kids' like appetizers first then they order a few dishes & then a few more depending on our hunger. Very relaxed way to eat. In addition to wonderful ahi sushi & tsukune Yakitori (chicken on a stick), and other things I can't remember, my favorite was a salad called "Ripened Avocado & Shrimp Salad Roll". Wish I knew what was in the dressing.
Lunch the next day was in Chinatown at the Pig & the Lady – "globally accented modern Vietnamese cooking." I had Vongole & Brussel Sprouts – Manila clams cooked with vermouth, brown-butter fish sauce, market citrus & Brussel sprouts gremolata on home made pasta. Excellent & the owner said new to the menu which changes often. I tasted a good Banh Mi and of course we had to take fresh beignets home.
So... I got the suitcase unpacked, four loads of wash done and all the plants dragged back outside & watered from where I'd secluded them from freezes. I haven't made it to the grocery store yet. The neighbors who watched my house took me out for spaghetti the first night. One night was smoked oysters with an assortment of cheeses & crackers. One night was old pumpernickel from the fridge fried in butter with an egg cracked in the middle. Tonight was cottage cheese w/canned peaches and a bowl of shelled Edamame from the freezer. Feels like a contest to get rid of things but I'll need greens soon & milk.
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Sandy, oh good heavens no! The works = onion, pickle, tomato, relish, mustard, sport peppers, celery salt, all on a poppy seed bun. Please refer to my previous diatribes on ketchup. (For the most part, I loathe it and see no place for it in the world except perhaps on French fries and even then I would rather have malt vinegar.)
Susan, he is very stressed from being in the hospital so long and feels he would be much better at home. He does realize he is weak (from being in the hospital so long!) and it would be risky for him to be alone. He also knows that his foot problems are serious and dangerous, but still thinks he can manage. Truthfully, I think he would be better off being anywhere but there. It is the worse of the two hospitals in his town and I really don't think he's getting the best care, especially at night. The problem is that I'm 100 miles away and can't be there every day. He does have a case manager that I have been communicating with, but of course, all of this happens on the weekend when the regular staff are not available. I will be back there on Monday and will get some answers. I have not been able to find if they have a patient advocate. If they do, they're keeping it a secret.
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Sandy, oh good heavens no! The works = onion, pickle, tomato, relish, mustard, sport peppers, celery salt, all on a poppy seed bun. Please refer to my previous diatribes on ketchup. (For the most part, I loathe it and see no place for it in the world except perhaps on French fries and even then I would rather have malt vinegar.)
Susan, he is very stressed from being in the hospital so long and feels he would be much better at home. He does realize he is weak (from being in the hospital so long!) and it would be risky for him to be alone. He also knows that his foot problems are serious and dangerous, but still thinks he can manage. Truthfully, I think he would be better off being anywhere but there. It is the worse of the two hospitals in his town and I really don't think he's getting the best care, especially at night. The problem is that I'm 100 miles away and can't be there every day. He does have a case manager that I have been communicating with, but of course, all of this happens on the weekend when the regular staff are not available. I will be back there on Monday and will get some answers. I have not been able to find if they have a patient advocate. If they do, they're keeping it a secret.
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Minus, welcome back and as usual, your meals sound marvelous.
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Nance - I'm so sorry about your Dad. It's very hard to take care of parents via long distance. My folks were in No. Calif and at least a 4 hour plane ride away. Dad was very stubborn about insisting he could take care of everything w/o any help and not giving up their home. I was fortunate that their "family doctor" always answered my questions or called me if there was a serious problem. Hope you can find someone to communicate with.
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